The following information is a summary about Plan-B. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
ACTIVE INGREDIENT:
LEVONORGESTREL (LEE-voe-nor-jes-trel)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S):
Plan B
USES:
This medicine is a progestin used to prevent pregnancy after known or suspected contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse.
HOW TO USE:
Progestin-only oral contraceptives come as tablets to take by mouth. They are taken once a day, every day at the same time. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take progestin-only oral contraceptives exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Progestin-only oral contraceptives come in packs of 28 pills. Begin the next pack the day after the last pack is finished. It is best to start taking progestin-only oral contraceptives on the first day of your menstrual period. If you start taking progestin-only oral contraceptives on another day, use a backup method of birth control (such as a condom and/or a spermicide) for the next 48 hours. If you have had a miscarriage or an abortion, you can start taking progestin-only oral contraceptives the next day. Progestin-only oral contraceptives are safe for use by breast-feeding mothers. If you are fully breastfeeding (not giving your baby any food or formula), you may start taking this medication 6 weeks after delivery. If you are partially breast-feeding (giving your baby some food or formula), you should start taking this medication by 3 weeks after delivery. Before taking progestin-only oral contraceptives, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient and read it carefully.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Progestin-only oral contraceptives may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- irregular menstrual periods
- headache
- breast pain
- upset stomach
- dizziness
- acne
- increased hair growth
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- bleeding that lasts a long time
- lack of menstrual periods
- severe stomach pain
Combined estrogen and progestin oral contraceptives may increase the risk of getting breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and liver tumors. It is not known whether progestin-only oral contraceptives also increase the risks of these conditions. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
Progestin-only oral ontraceptives may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
PRECAUTIONS:
Before taking progestin-only oral contraceptives,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to progestins, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow food coloring), or any other medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), phenytoin (Dilantin), and rifampin (Rifadin). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had breast lumps or breast cancer, vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods, liver tumors, liver disease, or diabetes.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking progestin-only contraceptives, call your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. You should not smoke while taking this medication.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Although progestins pass into the breast milk, the low doses of progestins used for contraception have not been shown to cause problems in nursing babies. Progestins used for contraception are recommended for nursing mothers when contraception is desired.
Teenagers Progestins have been used by teenagers and have not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than they do in adults. You must take progestin-only oral contraceptives every day in order for them to work. Progestins do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, a risk factor for teenagers. It is not known if Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection causes problems with bone development and growth in teenagers and young women. It is important that your doctor check you regularly for growth problems, especially if you have been using this medicine for 2 years or longer.
Older adults This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking a progestin, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Aminoglutethimide (e.g., Cytadren) or
- Carbamazepine (e.g., Tegretol) or
- Phenobarbital or
- Phenytoin (e.g., Dilantin) or
- Rifabutin (e.g., Mycobutin) or
- Rifampin (e.g., Rifadin, Rimactane)—These medicines may decrease the effects of progestins and increase your chance of pregnancy, so use of a second form of birth control is recommended
OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include irregular or unusually slow or fast heartbeat, unusual nervousness or excitement, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.
NOTES:
Keep all appointments with your doctor. Before you have any laboratory tests, tell the laboratory personnel that you take progestin-only oral contraceptives, as this medication may interfere with some laboratory tests. Rarely, women can become pregnant even if they are taking oral contraceptives. You should get a pregnancy test if it has been more than 45 days since your last period or if your period is late and you missed one or more doses or took them late and had sex without a backup method of birth control. If you want to become pregnant, stop taking progestin-only contraceptives. Progestin-only contraceptives should not delay your ability to get pregnant. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
MISSED DOSE:
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it, and go back to taking progestin-only contraceptives at your regular time. If you take a dose more than 3 hours late, be sure to use a backup method of birth control for the next 48 hours. If you are not sure what to do about the pills you have missed, keep taking progestin-only contraceptives and use a backup method of birth control until you speak to your doctor.
STORAGE:
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
